More than 300 staff from Head Office took a minute out last month to check on their health at Corrections’ first Wellness Expo.
“The expo was organised to give staff an opportunity to investigate different options for wellness,” says National Health and Safety Manager Tarniya Comrie.
“As our Maori name Ara Poutama Aotearoa indicates, moving towards wellness and well-being is central to Corrections’ rehabilitative work. The wellness and well-being of our staff is also important.”
Health nurses provided blood sugar and pressure tests, and height and weight checks. Eye sight tests were available as were assessments and advice on giving up smoking and safety products.
The Employee Assistance Programme, Weight Watchers, The National Heart Foundation, chiropractors, Cancer Society, Southern Cross, The New Zealand Blood Service, and Vibrafit were on hand to provide advice and assistance and there were free neck and shoulder massages for all.
“It was great to see so many people walking through,” says Tarniya.
“I have had so much positive feedback from staff and managers alike. So often we put things like getting our eyes checked on the back burner… it seemed people really appreciated the opportunities the expo provided.”
Tarniya is keen to see the concept taken up in the regions. She is providing regional health and safety coordinators with information about holding similar events and hopes the positive feedback from the Head Office pilot will see wellness expos become regular events throughout Corrections.
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ISSN 1178-8453